Ixchiq Vaccine for Chikungunya | 20 Nov 2023

Source: TH

Why in News? 

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States approved the world's inaugural vaccine for chikungunya. 

• This novel vaccine, named Ixchiq and developed by European vaccine manufacturer Valneva, marks a significant leap in combating the chikungunya virus (CHIKV).

What are the Key Features of Ixchiq Vaccine? 

• It is administered as a single dose via injection into the muscle. It contains a live, weakened version of the chikungunya virus, potentially causing symptoms akin to the disease in vaccine recipients.
• The vaccine has been approved for administration in people who are 18 years or older, and are at increased risk of exposure to the virus.

What is Chikungunya? 

• About: Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease. It was first recognized in 1952 during an outbreak in southern Tanzania. 
  • It is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus that belongs to the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae.
• Symptoms: Chikungunya causes fever and severe joint pain, which is often debilitating and varies in duration. 
  • Dengue and Zika have similar symptoms to chikungunya, making chikungunya easy to misdiagnose.

• Transmission: Chikungunya is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected female mosquitoes. 
  • Most commonly, the mosquitoes involved are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. 
  • These two species can also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. 
    • They bite throughout daylight hours, although there may be peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon. 
• Prevalence: According to WHO, It is prevalent in Africa, Asia, and the Americas; but sporadic outbreaks have been reported in other regions.
• Treatment Options: Presently, there is no cure for chikungunya, with symptomatic relief being the primary approach. Treatment involves the use of analgesics, antipyretics, rest, and adequate fluid intake.
• Prevention Strategies: Prevention primarily revolves around mosquito control activities, including public health outreach, civic maintenance, use of medicated mosquito nets, and eliminating water stagnation to prevent mosquito breeding.
• Related Indian Government Initiatives: 
  • The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is an umbrella programme for prevention and control of vector borne diseases (VBDs), viz., Malaria, Lymphatic Filariasis, Kala-azar, Dengue, Chikungunya and Japanese Encephalitis (JE).